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Targeting Metabolic Flexibility in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Motor Neuron Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT04788745
Lead Sponsor
The University of Queensland
Brief Summary

MetFlex is an investigator led, open-label, single-arm, Phase 2a trial to determine the safety and tolerability of trimetazidine for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND).

Detailed Description

The study will consist of a 4-week lead-in period to obtain a stable baseline measurement of clinical markers of disease and oxidative stress. After the lead-in phase, participants will receive trimetazidine for 12 weeks. Participants will visit the clinic at 6-week intervals, during which we will obtain a blood sample to measure the pharmacodynamic response. We will also collect information regarding the rate of disease progression (i.e. ALSFRS-R and SVC). At weeks 3 and 9 of treatment, participants will conduct a teleconference visit, during which we will collect data on ALSFRS-R. Adverse events will be collected and recorded throughout the entire trial duration. At the end of the on-treatment period, a close-out visit will occur after four weeks. The total study period per participant will be 20 weeks.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
21
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age between 18 and 75 years

  • Signed informed consent prior to the initiation of any study-specific procedures

  • Familial or sporadic ALS/MND, defined as clinically possible, probable, or definite as per the El Escorial criteria

  • Relative TRICALS risk score between -6.0 to -2.0 (75% of patients with ALS/MND)

  • Metabolic index ≥110%, at the screening visit.

  • The use of riluzole will be permitted during the study. Individuals taking riluzole must be on a stable dose for at least 30 days prior to the baseline visit, or stopped taking riluzole at least 30 days prior to the baseline visit.

  • Ability to swallow tablets

  • Able to lie with torso elevated at a 35° angle for 30 minutes without respiratory support

  • Able to give informed consent (as judged by the investigator) and able to comply with all study visits and all study procedures

  • Females must not be able to become pregnant (e.g. post-menopausal, surgically sterile or using highly effective birth control methods) for the duration of the study. Highly effective methods of birth control are those with a failure rate of < 1% per year when employed consistently and correctly, e.g. Combined (oestrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation:

    • oral
    • intravaginal
    • transdermal
    • Progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation:
    • oral
    • injectable
    • implantable
    • intrauterine device (IUD)
    • intrauterine hormone-releasing system ( IUS)
    • vasectomised partner
  • Females of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and baseline and be non-lactating

Exclusion Criteria
  • Unable to provide informed consent

  • History of, or current diagnosis of diabetes or medical condition that impacts whole body energy expenditure (e.g. Hashimoto's, heart disease)

  • Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism, tremor, restless-leg syndrome

  • Safety Laboratory Criteria at screening related to significant kidney disease:

    • Creatinine clearance < 50 mL / min (Cockcroft-Gault) based on Cystatin C
  • Tracheostomy or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) use > 22 hours per day

  • Inability to swallow tablets

  • Contraindication therapy:

    • Allergy for one of the product's active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or excipients.
    • Antihypertensive treatment [Trimetazidine may cause hypotension]
  • Evidence of malignant disease

  • Significant neuromuscular disease other than ALS/MND

  • Ongoing disease that may cause neuropathy

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding

  • Females actively seeking to become pregnant who are not using an adequate form of contraceptive as detailed in the Inclusion criteria.

  • Deprivation of freedom by administrative or court order

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ExperimentalTrimetazidine DihydrochlorideTrimetazidine 35mg
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events; Safety and Tolerability16 weeks

The occurrence of adverse events, as assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for AEs Version 5, during the 12-week on-treatment period and 4-week wash-out period (16 weeks total).

Level of expression of oxidative stress markers in the plasma and/or serum of trial participants16 weeks

Expression of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, interleukin-6; assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass-spectrometry or multiplexing) in the plasma and/or serum of trial participants throughout the treatment period (12-week) and at the end of the wash-out period (4 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Level of expression of oxidative stress markers in the plasma and/or serum of trial participants to inform future clinical trials in ALS/MND16 weeks

Assessment of the expression of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, interleukin-6; assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass-spectrometry or multiplexing) in the plasma and/or serum of trial participants throughout the treatment period (12-week) and at the end of the wash-out period (4 weeks) to determine suitability for incorporation into future trial design

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

King's College London

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital

🇦🇺

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

University Medical Centre Utrecht

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

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